Howdy! I'm glad you are here. I finally decided that my first post should likely be an introduction to who I am as well as the plans I have for this blog. Since I have about 5 unfinished blog posts in draft, it's about time that I get the ball rolling on this... I'm not big on talking about myself, so I'm not quite sure where to start on this one! If you're here, you likely follow me on one of my socials or somewhat know me personally and if you fit that profile, thank you for supporting me by stopping by! AND if you are new, Welcome!
Well, I guess I'll go on with the introduction part... I'm Lauren. I live in North Carolina with my husband, daughter, and dogs. My favorite color falls somewhere between blue and teal (that's a shade of blue right?), but on any given day of the week, that color may change - pick a color of the sunset and I'll be happy. I'm a bit of a night owl, and I am not a morning person. Ice cream deserves its own food group. I love animals! Especially furry ones. My favorite place is the Crystal Coast of North Carolina and we basically live there in the summer now. Recently, back in July, I lost my brick and mortar studio (photography) space that I had for over six years, but I've decided to run a mobile studio for the time being as we are working on transitioning to moving to the beach. This move will likely take up to a year or more as there are a lot of components that need working out before this can come to fruition. But, I'll likely mention some of this from time to time (recently, it's been a recurring theme in conversations). If it were really, totally up to me, I'd just pick up the whole fam and move us somewhere like the Keys and live in a bikini all day - but that's just not practical (when we win the lottery, right?!)... I'm the dreamer out of my husband and I - he keeps me grounded though. Sometimes, I think I may be slightly neurotic, but that's ok (Who isn't, really? Right?). I'm a pretty private person, and I still intend to be... however, I do enjoy writing and I think that this creative outlet will help me fulfil a void that's been nagging at me. Maybe this can be both a creative outlet and therapeutic one, too.Â
So, what's this blog about? I think it will fall under the "lifestyle" category. I have gotten linked up with some of my favorite brands, and I also get samples that I review (part of this process is posting online), and I have a series on YouTube that I want to put together (I'm seriously recording this with my phone, so don't get any big ideas). So, I was thinking that a blog would be a nice, central location to keep it organized. That was my main thought process. I am not entirely new to blogging, as I do have a blog linked to my Studio website - but I don't regularly post there - a few different excuses and reasons for that... but I got to where I didn't regularly blog my sessions anymore and I didn't think people were really into it. I do track analytics and use SEO so I know a little bit about what works, when I get traction, and "who's" reading. Anyway, after sometime I thought a personal blog may be a better creative outlet so my photography site can stay on topic. I have a few different interests that I'd love to cover - since I need to keep ideas rolling. Some of my interests include, and you may see it as a theme on the blog;Â
- Body positivity -Â this is and probably will be for a while, a work in progress.
- WYSIWYG on my photos. I do not liquify my body or nip/tuck it in photos. Nor do IÂ remove cellulite, stretch marks, or spider veins. I do use posing to help "problem areas". Being a photographer I'm well versed in posing - others at least. It's much easier to pose someone else and I usually spot how IÂ would have posed differently when I'm editing... but IÂ will not alter my body to make it smaller - I'll guarantee you that. IÂ do not like filters that alter faces, either. If anything is done on my photos, it's removing/smoothing shine and or light from my face. It's really a photographer thing, but most of my images are edited in LR (lightroom) and only imported into PS if it needs adjustments to it, ie -Â colors (I can adjust color better there) or it needs better sharpening/pop (I have actions I use in PS). Photos taken with my big camera usually have an opaque "Simply Bliss Studio" somewhere in a corner. Phone photos do not. I have a thing with watermarking...Â
- Just positivity in general. I think this is important for your own wellbeing.
- Self care/self care routines - something a lot of us take for granted... And is different for everyone.
- Affordable fashion -Â this girl orders too much Amazon - it's a vicious cycle, I know...
- Beauty routines/products - as I get closer to my 40's I've realized how important it is to take care of yourself... I'm talking skin, face, hair, makeup; I don't wear it much but I do.Â
- Camper life/hacks - our beach home away from home is our camper. I'd like to do a post on that one.Â
- Outdoor life - of course, we live it best in the warmer months. As a fam we love boating, paddle boarding, going to the beach, hanging by the pool, cooking on the grill... I'm working on getting the fam SCUBA certified since I have been since 14 (it's all about schedules tho.
- Clean products/Green companies/cruelty free - I'm working on having a greener home and self. So, join me as it's a journey for sure. But I do pay attention to those companies that are green and produce clean products. I'm learning more about what it means to be "clean", "green", and even "cruelty free" (I'm not vegan, but I love the animals), y'all. It's a lot. And it's a process. And hard to not be a total hypocrite - so, know when I say, it's a process going green; the items you use and love are likely NOT "clean" or "green". EEK. I'll share this process, but don't judge me, please when I use or review "UNCLEAN" things, OK? I said: its.. a.. process... and I'm human, not perfect. K? Don't come at me.
- Oprah has her favorite things - well, IÂ DO TOO. So, I've made a blog category for it. This may include food, restaurants, places, things... It's a vague category. "Lauren's Favorite Things"... which will likely be most of what I post, but whatever.
- Reviews - Recently, I've found I enjoy reviewing products. Who knew!? I think my blog would be a great forum for extended or in depth reviews. I have been receiving products complimentary from influenster in exchange for my honest opinion. And well, I don't have a problem with being honest. Actually, my brutal honesty has a habit to get me in trouble from time to time... Right Mother? I mean, I don't want to be rude, and generally skirt around being mean. But I am generally very honest about things. And that doesn't sit well with many people... I mean, not everyone wants to hear the truth... But it works great reviewing products! I may also review some products on the fly, we'll see... If you are interested in trying out Influenster, reach out to me and I'll send you an invite.Â
- Please note that some links that will be posted within the blog are affiliate links and I will receive a commission from the sales of certain products. Others will not be and I will list whether or not a link is an affiliate link or not within the post.
So, I'm super glad you're here and joining me on this journey. I'd eventually like to start an email newsletter, like once a month or so, to keep followers up to date on what's going on and coming up as well as behind the scenes. Let me know if that's something you'd be interested in. There is a subscribe box on the right for your email address. I'd like to build up my database before I send out any newsletters so expect it to be awhile before your inbox get's love from me.
Please subscribe! My socials are all over the blog! Please follow and interact with my posts and such! That lets me know that what I'm doing is being appreciated and will give me the push I need to keep going. Thanks so much!Â
-Smile, Lauren.
Social links are below for easy reference:
- SOCIAL LINKS & DISCOUNT CODES (I linked so it will stay updated and it's also my link in bio everywhere)
- You can subscribe to my public stories/profile via Snapchat @LALENA84, but I do not add strangers to my chat. I've asked Snapchat for help finding how to send the direct link.
If you would like to contact to collaborate, please use my contact tab. Thanks!